Iris Long, Scientific Mentor to AIDS Activists, Dies at 92

It’s hard to express how important Iris was to ACT UP’s scientific development. She was the catalyst who started it all. Iris Long, Scientific Mentor to AIDS Activists, Dies at 92 www.nytimes.com/2026/04/17/h...

Opinion | A New Era of World War Has Arrived

Entering 2026, we were already a world AT war. But were are now in a world war. I explain what that means in my guest essay for @nytimes.com

www.nytimes.com/2026/04/12/o...

I haven’t flown for 9 years now. Three years ago I spent a month visiting friends in Greece and Sicily by train, ferry (Bari to Patras) and (in Greece) car. Stops along the away in Paris, Milan, Ischia and Rome, and finally Paris again.

Two Roberts Exhibition Touring to Nottingham then Kilmarnock! — Damian Barr The exhibition Damian Barr curated for Charleston closes in Lewes on April 12. It’s then touring to Nottingham and Kilmarnock!

Some good news! The exhibition I curated for Charleston is going on tour! 'Artists, Lovers, Outsiders' closes in Lewes April 12. Then tours to Nottingham & Kilmarnock! I'm so grateful to our lenders, everyone who's seen it & to Charleston, Nottingham & the Dick.

www.damianbarr.com/latest/2026/...

‘I’ve learned first-hand how evil is tolerated’: Colm Tóibín on living in the US under Trump The Brooklyn author on immigration and the inspiration behind his latest collection of stories

Colm Tóibín writing about writing makes for enthralling reading.
www.theguardian.com/books/2026/m...

Len Deighton, writer, 1929-2026 He reframed the spy novel genre with gritty cold-war thrillers but possessed an extraordinary range of talents, from graphic designer to historian

Len Deighton, writer, 1929-2026 - www.ft.com/content/32e4... via @FT

Views on health policy and prevention: a look to the Scottish election A look at Scottish social attitudes towards preventative health and policy

🔷 New webinar 🔷
🗳️ Views on health policy and prevention: a look to the Scottish election
🕙️ Thursday April 23rd, 10-11am

www.eventbrite.com/e/views-on-h...

Starmer warned over assisted dying bill by more than 100 Labour MPs More than 100 Labour MPs warn that failing to pass the legislation would undermine trust in politics.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... In a collection of letters to Sir Keir Starmer, parliamentarians have urged him to make sure there is enough time for a decision to be reached.

Looking forward to it, John.

Jürgen Habermas, German philosopher and sociologist, dies aged 96 Habermas’ political consensus-building theory argued formation of public opinion vital for democracies to survive

Jürgen Habermas, German philosopher and sociologist, dies aged 96

Habermas, the philosopher who shaped Germany's post-war conscience Juergen Habermas, best-known for his theory of political consensus-building, shaped the discourse of post-war Germany more than any other popular intellectual.

Habermas has been an intellectual influence for me in recent years. Wiith his passing the lights of European democracy must remain undimmed.

I am just going into a performance of Dvořák's Requiem by coincidence. To his memory now.

Here's to the lifeworld.

www.reuters.com/business/med...

Great piece from @johnkampfner.bsky.social on football, politics, culture and community in post reunification Germany.

It’s football, but without the oligarchs Union Berlin was on the verge of going under, when the fans decided they would re-build the club, starting with the stadium. And it worked

Something light, for a change. My previous @chelseafcn.bsky.social half-life, and my new-found love for @unionberlin.bsky.social
www.thenewworld.co.uk/john-kampfne...

Employability in Scotland: what do we know, and what remains unclear? - Scottish Health Equity Research Unit Employment is a key determinant of health inequality, and a central focus for health-related policy across both Scotland and the UK.

We have a blog out today from @scothealtheq.bsky.social which gives an overview of Scotland's employability programme, No One Left Behind. NOLB is an exceptionally complicated & evolving policy and there's a lot we do and don't know. Read here:

Thanks, Clare.

Great piece, Chitra!

Turning over a new Leith | The Observer Fiercely independent, Edinburgh’s historic port district is fighting back against big business

My @theobserveruk.bsky.social feature on my beloved Republic of #Leith observer.co.uk/style/travel...

I’m intrigued! I’ve had the same experience in the past.

Make or break for MAGA's disciple Orban's fate in the coming elections will help determine Europe's survival

The outcome of the coming Hungarian election is huge stakes stuff for geopolitics and @johnkampfner.bsky.social explains why here. A must read.
open.substack.com/pub/johnkamp...

Thanks so much, Chitra. Titan is such a great way to describe it.

Thanks Finn. I need to give this a second read. It’s got me thinking on various levels.

In praise of The Palmerston - and everything about it I've been a hundred times and I'm not about to stop

Latest from me: celebrating the joy of The Palmerston, my local restaurant in Edinburgh after my 100th visit. With a nod to @chitgrrl.bsky.social and @jayrayner1.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/chriscre...

In praise of The Palmerston - and everything about it I've been a hundred times and I'm not about to stop

Latest from me: celebrating the joy of The Palmerston, my local restaurant in Edinburgh after my 100th visit. With a nod to @chitgrrl.bsky.social and @jayrayner1.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/chriscre...

Belated thanks, Karen. Much appreciated.

Jeane Freeman: 'Ae fond kiss, and then we sever' A life of public service and a love that will not leave

Latest from me: a tribute to Jeane Freeman
open.substack.com/pub/chriscre...

Jeane Freeman: 'Ae fond kiss, and then we sever' A life of public service and a love that will not leave

Latest from me: a tribute to Jeane Freeman
open.substack.com/pub/chriscre...

Cancer patient will 'take matters into own hands' if MSPs reject assisted dying Norma Rivers, 73, who has terminal cancer, said she is "living in fear" and is "running out of treatment options".

On the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill to be decided on next month “real people at the heart of this Bill” have watched someone they care for having to “suffer unbearably at the end of life”. www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottis...

I’ve shared some reflections as a Scottish Police Authority board member for LGBT History Month on trust & confidence in policing among LGBTQ+ communities, drawing on my 45 year journey from activist to public appointee. We’ve come a long way but it’s not job done. www.spa.police.uk/news-insight...

🔷New SHERU webinar🔷
❤️‍🩹 Young adult men and the drivers of health inequalities

www.eventbrite.com/e/young-adul...

Wow.